Catherine Bitzan Amundsen

Mergers & Acquisitions

Charitable Gift Planning

Health Care Regulatory & Compliance Counseling

Health Care Transactions

Nonprofit & Tax-Exempt Organizations

I strive to be a bridge builder, helping clients grow stronger through connection and collaboration with other organizations. I serve as a core member of many of my clients’ leadership teams, helping solve legal challenges in a way that meets the practical needs of tax-exempt and healthcare organizations. I focus on bringing creativity and a deep business understanding to every matter, ensuring that legal navigation allows clients to stay focused on their mission. “Catie is closer to being an in-house counsel than any of our other outside counsel relationships,” said one client. “She knows who to talk to and how things work here. She is essential to our business.”

Catie Bitzan Amundsen is a trusted advisor to many nonprofit and healthcare organizations. She enjoys helping clients craft creative legal strategies to make intelligent, informed decisions while protecting their tax-exempt status. She confidently enables clients to navigate complex legal issues, knowing their resources and reputations are safeguarded. She is also a Co-Chair of the Lathrop GPM Foundation, the firm’s charitable giving arm.

Among the clients Catie represents are:

Arts organizations

Colleges and universities

Environmental initiatives

Family foundations

Foundations and grantmakers

Hospitals and health systems

Long-term care providers

Nonprofits (domestic and international)

What sets Catie apart is her practical, tailored approach. She prioritizes understanding the unique business implications of legal issues for each client and provides advice that aligns with their specific goals and strategic plans. Clients appreciate her ability to think ahead and offer solutions beyond the legal basics, helping them make informed decisions supporting their long-term success. Whether establishing new governance structures, incorporating new organizations, or advising on the structure of a complex healthcare merger, Catie brings a deep understanding of both the legal landscape and the mission-driven nature of client work.

She counsels nonprofit and healthcare organizations on issues related to:

Bond financing

Contracting

Corporate governance

Formation and tax-exemption

Fundraising

International operations and grantmaking

Mergers and acquisitions, affiliations and joint ventures

Private foundation rules

Program-related investments

Regulatory compliance

Social enterprise

Domestic and foreign nonprofits also rely on Catie’s counsel regarding international operations and grantmaking, international fundraising and international transfers of charitable funds and supplies, including through partnerships with foreign local counsel.

Catie is a strong negotiation advocate who diligently achieves client objectives while maintaining their integrity and reputation in the community. One client said, “Integrity is important in how our company shows up in the world. Catie exudes confidence. Her image, integrity and character exemplify us as a business, our goals and how we want to be perceived.”

With clients across Minnesota and the U.S., Catie’s experience and commitment make her a valuable partner for organizations looking to make an impact.

Advised a large multi-hospital rural healthcare system on the staggered divestitures of four skilled nursing facilities and associated assisted living and senior living campuses to a 501(c)(3) senior services provider.

Facilitated the integration of a large senior living organization into a Minnesota-based senior services provider, handling negotiations, regulatory issues and HUD-financed property transitions.

Counseled religious orders on the affiliation of multiple colleges and universities in which the orders have a substantial oversight and governance role.

Assisted with all facets of joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions for nonprofit, higher education, and health care organizations.